New Pana NV-GS50K
 

New Panasonic cam: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...n_02_03_02.htm

New cams from Sony
 

New cams from Sony:
http://news.sel.sony.com/digitalimag...=138281&page=1

New Cams from Sharp
 

Pics from:
http://www.dvworld.com.tw/forum/dvfo...threadid=12186

Info:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...2003_01_10.htm

Thanks for the link, Jinghong Chua! Too bad my browser can't read the camcorderinfo site. I'll have to look at it tomorrow, on a friend's---.

The TRV80 looks like it may be a nice 1 CCD cam. When it comes out, I'll have to have a good look at it. Thanks for the link.

Hi Ken,

Thank you for the heads-up,,, that should be an excellent resource for many of us. Would you be so kind as to maybe keep us posted when the article does come online?

Many thanks!

- don

I had a hard time accessing the site, but here's the info. Note, finally COLOUR OPTIONS!!!!
Dylan
*************************


Panasonic has announced two new MiniDV camcorders into the Japanese Market. The first is the NV-GS70K, a three chip model and the second is the NV-GS50K which only includes one chip, but comes in four different colors.
The NV-GS70K include three chips, although we don't know their size or resolution. We do know however that the camcorder can record 1,280 x 960 pixel resolution stills to SD cards, and that it includes an 8 MB SD card. The camcorder also includes the Magic wand, which was provided with the US Panasonic PV-DV953. The wand functions as wired zoom and record controller. The camcorder can also record MPEG4 video to the SD card.


Panasonic Japan also announced the NV-GS50K, a single chip camcorder. The NV-GS50K also can record digital stills to SD cards, as well as MPEG video. It includes an 8 MB SD card. The NV-GS50K also comes in four colors including: a standard silver, a red, yellow and a blue color.

We were unable to get pricing or availability information on the camcorders or information on when they would be available in the US.

NAB rumours?
 

Does anyone have any upcoming NAB rumours,facts? any specials this year?
thanks for sharing the info

It's a little early for rumors. Give it another few weeks.

JVC Announces Hard Disk Recorder for GY-DV5000U
 

An interesting news item on the abcdv.com site.

can i ask you then again jeff?
greetings

Magic Bullet Suite Film Wins at Sundance
 

An interesting Jan. 27, 2003 article on Millimeter Magazine's site regarding the increasing popularity of The Orphanage's Magic Bullet Suite software.

Very interesting. I was just wondering what cameras they were using. It didnt sound like MiniDV. And to my knowledge Magic Bullet doesn't support any camera lower than the Jvc Gy-dv500u. Their reason is the lack of resolution on the CCDs.

-------
"Since the final output for Chaiken Films and HBO/Cinemax was not to film, several options were possible for achieving a cinematic look. A progressive 30 frames per second was the chosen master. This offered a nice hybrid between the look of video and film—adding a smoother cadence to the final master," said Aaron Rhodes, Lead Magic Bullet Artist at The Orphanage.
--------
So why did they shoot it in 30p?
I thought from reading that 60i is the way to go. So then Post houses won't have any problems converting the footage to another format. So are there other DV cameras out there that do 30p? And if they didnt decide on mastering it to film, it sounds like what Mr. Rhodes is saying is that it doesnt matter what way you shoot it.

Rob

Robert,
MB is largely agnostic regarding the source of the footage. It's a suite of plug-ins for Adobe's After Effects 5.5. If you can get it into AE chances are that MB will be able to chew on it.

See their site for more info.

I would have to say... keep an eye on Sony.

New Edition of The Pro Digital Camera Guide
 

The completely updated Pro Digital Camera Guide provides information on more than 100 broadcast and professional cameras and camcorders. It can be accessed free of charge at http://SYPHAonline.com.

The new edition offers a revised search page and additional search criteria including progressive frame rates and tapeless recording media.

A handy site. Thanks very much for that!

Thanks for posting that. Saved me a lot of time doing research/direct comparisons on a few cameras. Good stuff!

Sonic Foundry financial news
 

For those worried about the state of SoFo and it's software, some relatively good news. Loss went from 47 down to 3 with strong sales of key products.

here is the link

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030214/140288_1.html

They are NOT selling Vegas. yeah!!!!

Canon's technology
 

Although this is about a still camera, the technology is exciting and should soon spill over to video. Canon's new EOS-1DS is an 11 mega pixel still camera with the same frame size as 35mm film. The lenses used on the DSLR will have the same focal length as do the 35mm film cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1ds/

has some sample pics of the pro canon's ability and it is stunning to say the least. One shot of a ferris wheel type ride is beautiful. This camera has been out for a few months I know but I just got a look at it.

It seems to me technology for video cameras may come quicker than expected. 11 mega pixels at 8 frames per second, even for a still camera that is awesome.

I know we have wished them to death but isn't it about time we hear about upcoming technology for video cameras, how long has it been since the XL1S was announced.

I was recently drooling over this $8,000 gadget myself. It is quite a piece of technology. (It seems scarce, though.)

BTW, Phil Askey's site, Digital Photography Review, is also an amazing place, isn't it?

2003 Florida Film Festival Mar 7 - 16th
 

March 7 - 16th Orlando. Sponsored by Universal Orlando and University of Central Flrorida. Well respected regional film festival. Rated in top 10 by Chris Gore.

Has a reputation for a laid back atmosphere with great selections.

I'm going to try and make this one.

http://www.floridafilmfestival.com

I live just down the street from the home of this festival...
It's actually organized by The Enzian, the local arthouse theater.
http://www.enzian.org

Definitely always a great selection of films, and yes, laid back. The film screenings are usually spread out amongst several local theaters. Some at the huge Universal Studios Cineplex, to various screens at Rollins College, to the more intimate Enzian dinner-theater, etc. Always fun, and a lot of the filmmakers do visit, and there's always a very intriguing guest. I remember one year it was Jason Lee, who I unfortunately missed. The seats fill up fast!

Looks like Sonic Foundry is in Miami on Tuesday Feb 25th with a free DVD seminar. Here is a Link to the North American stops.

http://seminar.sonic.com/seminars.asp?country=US

Distribution - CustomFlix goes global
 

Hey everyone,

I just got news from CustomFlix.com that they're expanding their distribution to include international producers now. They say their site will change tomorrow, Tuesday, February 18, to reflect this.

So, if you're looking for a way to distribute your films in video and DVD, this is worth checking out!

http://www.customflix.com

Doesn't look like sonic foundry to me.

Free admission to shooting/lighting/editing seminar
 

DVcreators.net would like to invite you to a free seminar showing a series of valuable tips and techniques for getting the most from your DV camcorder and editing system.

The "DV Revolution Free Seminar Tour" is an international series of free seminars
sponsored by Canon and others, and presented by DVcreators.net, revealing
DVcreators.net unique and special brand of secret techniques for shooting,
lighting, editing and delivering high quality digital video.


DV Revolution Free Seminar Tour dates:
--------------------------------------
2/19/2003 Hilton Burbank Airport & Convention Center Burbank CA
2/21/2003 Clarion Hotel San Francisco Airport Millbrae CA
3/3/2003 Holiday Inn Select-Dallas North (Galleria Area) Dallas TX
3/5/2003 Holiday Inn - Astrodome @ Reliant Park Houston TX
3/7/2003 Marriott Atlanta Century Center Atlanta GA
3/11/2003 Holiday Inn Downtown Washington DC
3/13/2003 Holiday Inn-Mart Plaza Chicago IL
3/20/2003 Denver Convention Center Denver CO
3/31/2003 Renaissance Hollywood Hotel Hollywood CA
4/2/2003 Courtyard San Francisco Downtown San Francisco CA
4/4/2003 Embassy Suites Hotel - Biltmore Phoenix AZ
4/14/2003 Southgate Tower Hotel New York NY
4/17/2003 Holiday Inn-Airport East Toronto ON


The shooting portion of free seminars will feature the Canon GL2 broadcast quality digital camcorder with three 410,000 pixel chips, professional L-series Fluorite crystal lens, 20x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, Pixel Shift, Frame Mode, time-lapse and many high end picture adjustment controls.

The seminar will show a normal shot being transformed, step-by-step, into a primetime Hollywood film look by using the advanced picture controls of the Canon GL2, 3 point lighting from Lowel, special Tiffen filters and other tricks of the trade.

You'll also see a variety of exciting new digital video products from other sponsors, including Lowel lighting, Pinnacle Systems, Intel, Gateway, discreet, SmartSound and Artbeats.


To register or for more information, go to:

http://www.digitalmediacreators.net/...urce=dvinfonet

(You must register and print out your registration to attend- no one will be
admitted without a "ticket"!)

Also check out our brand new website:
http://www.dvcreators.net

I highly recommend taking advantage of DVCreators' "DV Revolution Free Seminar Tour" particularly if you are new to video or are an intermediate beginner looking for some tips on getting to the next level. Even if you're not interested in the specific cameras or software used in the seminar, you're going to walk away with good stuff between your ears.

I also recommend nearly any of DVCreators' other classes and/or their instructional cd's. Josh Mellicker's DVCreators is the best of its genre.

My apology, you are correct, I was searching for info on Sonicfoundry's new dvd authoring and stumbled thru this website, This is not Sonic Foundry, again my apoplogy.
Donny

Lighting Portraits
 

The March, 2003 issue of Videomaker Magazine features an excellent article titled "Lighting Portraits" by Jim Stinson. In brief, the article provides a good overview of techniques for lighting interviews, something that many of us routinely face.

I highly recommend picking a copy up at the newsstand, since the article is not featured on Videomaker's site, at least at this writing.

i thought that was amazing when i first read about it before, but check this out: fujifilm

seems they're going to be putting out a medium format monster with a 20.8 megapixel ccd. the dimensions are 52mmx37mm. i'm thinking the starting price for one of these will be $20k or so.

Want to know a little more about CCD's? Sony ICX452AQ datasheet
 

Here's a PDF document from Sony, about 40 pages, describing their new five megapixel Super HAD CCD (for still-photo digicams). I think it's an interesting look at the documentation that goes with a charge-coupled device. You can learn a lot about CCD technology by looking through this thing... enjoy.

"The ICX452AQ is a diagonal 9.04mm (Type 1/1.8) interline CCD solid-state image sensor with a square pixel array and 5.13M effective pixels."

See http://www.sony.co.jp/%7Esemicon/eng...1/a6803138.pdf

SONY NEWS
 

The following should be very interesting.....


Sony Professional Products will show two new camcorders and three decks, part of a new professional optical disc system to be available in the fall, as part of its NAB exhibit, the company announced.

The optical system (pictured) records both high-resolution original, and lower-resolution versions called proxies, video and audio. From the camcorder or a battery-operated mobile deck, videographers will be able to transfer the proxy information to laptop editors or back to the studio at up to 30 times faster-than-real-time. Video can be transferred as high-resolution footage or a data file over IP networks, the manufacturer describes.

The optical disc system offers choice of recording video with the DVCAM codec at 25 megabits per second or the MPEG IMX codec at 30, 40 or 50 megabits per second. Optical decks will accept both formats and offer the full range of analog A/V, digital A/V and information technology (IT) standards, including compatibility with i.LINK (IEEE 1394) and Ethernet interfaces.

The optical media consists of a five-inch (12 centimeter) re-writable disc in a protective cartridge. Blue laser technology for recording and playback is used.

The new system offers familiar optical disc benefits, including split-second random access, no physical head contact during record/playback, and cost efficiency associated with the media. A single disc holds 90 minutes of DVCAM material or 45 minutes of MPEG IMX material recorded at 50 Mbps, 55 minutes at 40 Mbps, and 75 minutes at 30 Mbps.

Sony's two optical disc camcorders and three decks support both the i.LINK and Ethernet interfaces for transferring assets as Material Exchange Format (MXF) files.

The two camcorders are able to capture high-quality pictures with 2/3-inch EX HAD image sensors and 12-bit analog-to-digital converters. Features include loop/interval recording on a built-in cache memory; Ethernet or wireless LAN interfaces through optional PC-CARD adaptors, and a 2.5-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) LCD monitor for playback, marking good shots and re-sequencing clips. The camcorders can output low-resolution proxy video at up to 30 times faster-than-real-time.

The battery-powered mobile deck plays back DVCAM and MPEG IMX recordings and displays them on the built-in LCD monitor. The deck supports up to 30 times faster-than-real-time transfer of low-resolution proxy video over i.LINK and Ethernet interfaces, in addition to MXF file transfers over a 100-BaseT network connection.

The compact, NLE companion deck, a half-rack feeding/recording machine for non-linear editing, supports up to five times faster-than-real-time transfer of full-resolution DVCAM audio and video and up to 50 times real-time transfer of low-resolution proxy audio and video. Transfer speeds for MPEG 4:2:2 video range from four times real-time for MPEG 30Mbps to two-and-a-half-times real-time for MPEG 50Mbps.

The studio deck, which is a standard editing deck that offers both DVCAM and MPEG IMX recording and playback, provides a full complement of analog A/V, digital A/V and IT interfaces, including the i.LINK interface and Gigabit Ethernet port. The studio deck supports up to five times faster-than-real-time transfer of full-resolution DVCAM audio and video and up to 50 times real-time transfer of low-resolution proxy audio and video. Transfer speeds for MPEG 4:2:2 video range from four times real-time for MPEG 30Mbps to two-and-a-half-times real-time for MPEG 50Mbps. The studio deck works with both nonlinear and linear editing systems.

sure you know
 

kodak will soon release there much delayed 14n @ under 5 grand not bad makes canon look down right expensive..

Canon Announces New Opturas
 

Canon is introducing new versions of its popular Optura cameras, the Optura 10 and Optura 20. Both will be 1/4" single CCD cameras. The 10 will have a 2.5" lcd screen, the 20 a 3.5"screen. The 20 will have "Super Night Shooting Mode" (not sure if the "Super" refers to the night or the mode).

Both cameras will ship in May, 2003. See the CanonDV site for complete information.

The orlando sentinel had an ad for it, a lot of lower price events are sold out, I didn't realize the film festival was that pricey. (I guess I can consider myself cheap). I believe the full event ticket was around 600 dollars.

"Super Night" mode is a small white LCD light mounted below the lens, same as the ZR70MC. Basically it's just a kicker light to enhance the color night-shooting mode.

I felt ripped off when I found out "Night mode" was just a slower shutter speed, not at all like Sony's NightShot technology, which I thought it would be.

Gimme back my Optura and my PI. I'd settle for a 100MC too.

Look at the new Optura 10 and Optura 20. Their CCD is still 1/4" in size, with the same old 690K video effective pixels. Geez, the Optura 100MC had this but it's pixels were on a larger, 1/3.6" CCD. That's not all. The lens is now tinier than ever---a far cry from the beautiful wide lens of the Optura 100MC---yes, F1.8 and 37mm filter threads are all you get. Canon still hasn't brought back the progressive scan, nor implemented a decent 16:9 mode (like the Panasonic's MX5000). But wait, there's more. The new and improved Optura has a tiny viewfinder, it's only 0.33" in diameter with a skimpy 113K pixel count---and no focussing ring.

Points are well-taken, but this is a consumer model. From where I sit, the 10 & 20 fit very well into the consumer product line.

Canon models aren't very evident in retail. Sony, Panasonic, JVC, and even Samsung have a bigger presence. The ZRs have gotten better retail exposure than previous models, which tells me that Canon is working to make the line more interesting.

That's more interesting to the Best Buys and Circuit Citys of the world, not necessarily to us.